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Meningococcal infection is caused by a bacterium called Neisseria meningitidis (also called the meningococcus, plural meningococci). There are 13 different types of meningococcus, but most infections in Australia are caused by types B and C.

Meningococcal infection is a notifiable condition1

How meningococcal infection is spread

The meningococcus is carried, usually harmlessly, in the nose and throat of around 10% of the population ('carriers’), with higher carriage in some specific groups. The meningococcus is spread when an infected person (patient or carrier) talks, coughs or sneezes small droplets containing infectious agents into the air. The droplets in the air may be breathed in by those nearby. The meningococcus is also spread by close contact with nose or throat secretions, for example during deep kissing. However, only a very small number of people in close contact with carriers develop meningococcal disease. Meningococcal disease occurs when the bacteria ‘invade’ the body from the throat or nose.

Contact with saliva from the front of the mouth (for example, from sharing drinks or cigarettes) has not been shown to cause meningococcal disease.

Even though it is hard to catch and uncommon, meningococcal disease is a feared infection, often featured in the media.

Cigarette smoking, both active and passive, appears to increase the risk of a person developing meningococcal disease. This is yet another reason to stop smoking and for adults not to smoke near young children.

Signs and symptoms

Meningococcal disease is a severe infection caused by the meningococcus which may result in:

meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord)

septicaemia (infection of the blood)

joint infection

eye infection

pneumonia (lung infection or inflammation)

a rash.

Septicaemia from meningococcal disease can cause shock and death within hours of the onset of symptoms. In Australia, 5 to 10% of people with meningococcal disease die, despite rapid treatment.

Meningococcal disease can affect all age groups, but is most common in children under 5 years of age and in young adults (15 to 24 years). Meningococcal disease can occur throughout the year but is most common in winter and spring. Outbreaks can occur, but are rare.

Infants and young children

In infants and young children the symptoms of meningococcal disease include:

Older children and adults

In older children and adults the symptoms of meningococcal disease include:

headache

fever

vomiting

neck stiffness

photophobia (discomfort when looking at light)

drowsiness or confusion

tiny red or purple spots that soon spread and enlarge to look like fresh bruises

collapse

joint pains.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is made in a pathology laboratory from a sample of blood or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)2, by:

examination

growing meningococcal bacteria

polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing.

Incubation period

(time between becoming infected and developing symptoms)

Usually 3 to 4 days, but can vary from 1 to 10 days.

Infectious period

(time during which an infected person can infect others)

The person is infectious as long as the meningococcal bacteria are present in the nose and throat. The bacteria disappear within 24 hours of starting appropriate antibiotic treatment.

Treatment

A person with suspected meningococcal disease must be treated immediately with an injection of antibiotics and transferred urgently to hospital.

Prevention

Very close contacts3 of a person who has meningococcal disease, such as household members, will be contacted by SA Health's Communicable Disease Control Branch (CDCB). They may be advised to receive a short course of an appropriate antibiotic to clear any meningococci they may carry in their nose and throat. These antibiotics do not treat the disease, but can help stop meningococci from spreading to other people. It is important to seek urgent medical attention if any symptoms of meningococcal disease develop.

A person with meningococcal disease must be also be given an appropriate antibiotic to eliminate meningococci from their nose and throat in order to prevent spread to others.

All people in the network of contacts of the person with meningococcal disease should receive information about the disease. It is important for them, or anyone close to them, to seek urgent medical attention if they develop any symptoms of meningococcal disease.

Immunisation

There are vaccines available to protect against meningococcal disease.

Infants with some medical conditions should receive two additional doses meningococcal C vaccine (starting from 6 weeks of age).
Vaccination with a combined vaccine against types A, C, W135 and Y is recommended for:

laboratory staff who handle the bacterium

travellers (from 9 months of age) who plan to visit countries where epidemics of these types of meningococcal infection are frequent

pilgrims attending the annual Hajj in Saudi Arabia

children (from 9 months of age) and adults with some high-risk medical conditions, such as those without a spleen.

A vaccine against meningococcal type B is available on the private market.

Vaccines may sometimes be used during outbreaks of meningococcal disease.

If the meningococcal disease is caused by a type for which there is a vaccine, the CDCB may recommend vaccination of close household contacts with the appropriate vaccine. The recipient may have to pay for this vaccination.

Because vaccines do not protect against all types of meningococci, vaccinated people must still be alert for symptoms of meningococcal disease.

Useful links

In some cases, meningococcal infection will have serious health consequences or can be fatal. If you require support because you have either experienced meningococcal infection or have lost a loved one as a consequence of meningococcal disease please speak with your doctor about a referral to a suitably qualified counsellor. Other useful resources include community networks such as: